The current city boundaries were set as part of the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, and cover an amalgamation of five former local government districts. It is bounded on the south east by the River Irwell, which forms its boundary with the city of Manchester and by the Manchester Ship Canal to the south, which forms its boundary with Trafford. The metropolitan boroughs of Wigan, Bolton and Bury lie to the west, northwest and north respectively. Some parts of the city, which lies directly west of Manchester, are highly industrialised and densely populated, but around one third of the city consists of rural open space. This is because the western half of the city stretches across an ancient peat bog known as Chat Moss.

During the Industrial Revolution, Salford grew as a result of the textile industry.[14] Although Salford experienced an increase in population, it was overshadowed by the dominance of Manchester and did not evolve as a commercial centre in the same way.[15] On 15 September 1830, Eccles was the site of the world's first railway accident.[16] During a stop in Eccles to take on water, William Huskisson, Member of Parliament for Liverpool, had his leg crushed by Stephenson'sRocket; at the time he was in conversation with the Duke of Wellington, who was opening the railway, and did not get out of the way of the train in time. Although Huskisson was taken to Eccles for treatment he died of his injuries.[17] The six-foot-tall Oglala Sioux tribesman, "Surrounded By the Enemy", died here from a bronchial infection at age twenty-two in 1887 during a tour of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and was buried at Brompton Cemetery.[18] In 1894, the Manchester Ship Canal was opened, running from the River Mersey to Salford Quays; when it was complete it was the largest navigation canal in the world.[19] Along the route of the canal, it was necessary to create an aqueduct carrying the Bridgewater Canal over the Ship Canal. The Barton Swing Aqueduct, designed by Sir Edward Leader Williams,[20] is 100 metres (330 ft) long and weighs 1,450 metric tons (1,427 long tons; 1,598 short tons).[21][22]

At the start of the 20th century, Salford began to decline due to competition from outside the UK. A survey in 1931 concluded that parts of Salford were amongst the worst slums in the country.[23] Salford was granted city status in 1926.[24] During World War II, Salford Docks were regularly bombed.[25]

Prior to the metropolitan borough's creation, the name Salford for the new local government district courted controversy. Salford was "thought second-class by those in Eccles", who preferred the new name "Irwell" for the district (with reference to the River Irwell).[2] A councillor for the then City and County Borough of Salford objected to this suggestion, stating this label was nothing but "a dirty stinking river".[2] The name Irwell won 8 votes to Salford's 7, but a private protest and deliberation favoured Salford as the name for the new city, citing that the River Irwell would pass through two other Greater Manchester districts, and that it "doesn't touch Worsley".[2]

The River Irwell runs south east through Kearsley, Clifton and Agecroft then meanders around Lower Broughton and Kersal, Salford Crescent and the centre of Manchester, joining the rivers Irk and Medlock. Turning west, it meets the Mersey south of Irlam, where the route of the river was altered in the late 19th century to form part of the course of the Manchester Ship Canal. The Ship Canal, opened in 1894, forms part of Salford's southern boundaries with Trafford.[34] The city's climate is generally temperate, like the rest of Greater Manchester. The nearest weather station is 10 miles (16 km) away at Ringway, in Manchester; the mean highest and lowest temperatures (13.2 °C (55.8 °F) and 6.4 °C (43.5 °F)) are slightly above the national average, while the annual rainfall (806.6 millimetres (31.76 in)) and average hours of sunshine (1394.5 hours) are respectively above and below the national averages.[35][36]

In 1974, Salford City Council was created to administer the newly formed local government district. Until 1986, it shared power with the Greater Manchester County Council. The council offices are located in Swinton, in what was formerly the Swinton and Pendlebury town hall. The Labour Party have been in control of the council since its formation in 1974.[41] The council has a constitution detailing how they should operate in performing their duties.[42]

Salford City Council was assessed by the Audit Commission and judged to be "improving well" in providing services for local people. Overall the council was awarded "three star" status meaning it was "performing well" and "consistently above minimum requirements", similar to 46% of all local authorities.[43]

The district is divided into two areas (Central Salford and Salford West)[65] for some purposes including planning, regeneration and housing.

Central Salford is the eastern part of the district and comprises seven wards: Broughton, Claremont, Irwell Riverside, Kersal, Ordsall, Langworthy and Weaste & Seedley. This is the more urban half of the district and lies partly within the Manchester Inner Ring Road. Salford Quays lies within this area. Between 2005 and 2011, the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company was responsible for urban regeneration in this area, securing over £1 billion of private sector investment.[66] Social housing is provided by Salix Homes in this area.

Salford West comprises the other 13 wards, including the towns of Eccles, Swinton and Walkden. This is the more suburban and rural half of the district. Salford City Council's aspiration is that "In 2028, Salford West will be one of the most desirable and prosperous areas in Greater Manchester."[67] Social housing is provided by City West Housing Trust in this area.

The coat of arms of Salford City Council depicts a weaving shuttle surrounded by five bees with a three masted ship above, on a shield flanked by two lions.[68] The blue background with a gold chief is taken from the arms of the city council of the County Borough of Salford, who in turn took it from the colours of the Earl of Chester. The shuttle and five bees represent the industry of the area and five settlements who benefited from the textile industry.[68] The ship is borrowed from the crest of Eccles Borough Council and represents the importance of waterways to the city. The ship is flanked by two millrinds – the centres of millstones – symbolising engineering.[68] The lions are taken from the crest of the Borough of Swinton and Pendlebury; they are wearing iron steel chain representing engineering. The shield is topped by a griffin carrying a pennon depicting three boars' heads. The griffin is taken from the crest of Eccles and the boars are from the crest of Irlam Urban District.[68] Beneath the shield is a scroll reading salus populi suprema lex, Latin for "the welfare of the people is the highest law".[68]

In 2007–8, Salford City Council spent a total of £218 million. The council spent £50M on children's services (23%); £68M on community health and social care (31%); £15M environmental service (7%); £28M on housing and planning (13%); and £9M on customer and support services (4%). For the 2008–9 financial year, the council's income is expected to consist of £125M (59%) from government grants and £87M (41%) from council tax.[69]

A Comprehensive Area Assessment[70] by the Audit Commission in 2010 found that Salford's key priorities are improving health, reducing crime, helping young people achieve A-level qualifications, social services, including the views of minority groups, improving skills and "making Salford a cleaner and more attractive place to live".

At the 2001 UK census, the City of Salford had a total population of 216,103.[71] Of the 94,238 households in Salford, 29.3% were married couples living together, 36.7% were one-person households, 8.5% were co-habiting couples and 12.5% were lone parents. The figures for lone parent households were above the national average of 9.5%, and the percentage of married couples was also below the national average of 36.5%; the proportion of one person households was higher than the national average of 30.1%.[72]

The population density was 2,223/km2 (5,760/sq mi)[73] and for every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. Of those aged 16–74 in Salford, 35.5% had no academic qualifications, significantly higher than 28.9% in all of England.[71] 5.3% of Salford's residents were born outside the United Kingdom, significantly lower than the national average of 9.2%.[74] The largest minority group was recorded as Asian, at 1.4% of the population.[75]

The number of theft from a vehicle offences and theft of a vehicle per 1,000 of the population was 21.3 and 7.9 compared to the English national average of 7.6 and 2.9 respectively.[76] The number of sexual offences was 1.1 compared to the average of 0.9.[76] The national average of violence against another person was 16.7 compared to the Salford average of 27.2.[76] The figures for crime statistics were all recorded during the 2006/7 financial year.[77] Although all were above the averages for England, Salford's crime rate was lower than Manchester's.[78]

Salford tower blocks in 2001. Tower blocks were mostly built between the 1950s and 1970s.

The table below details the population change since 1801, including the percentage change since the last available census data. Although the City of Salford has existed as a metropolitan borough since 1974, figures have been generated by combining data from the towns, villages, and civil parishes that would later be constituent parts of the city.

Salford Docks (also called Manchester Docks) were opened by Queen Victoria in 1894, providing docks in Manchester and Salford for the Manchester Ship Canal which linked Manchester to the sea.[91] During the 1970s, the docks fell into decline as they proved too small for new, larger ships,[91] and when they were abandoned in 1982 over 3,000 people lost their jobs.[91] Salford City Council purchased the docks in 1984 and since then they underwent regeneration as a centre of tourism in Salford, which included the construction of the Lowry Centre.[91] More than 10,000 people are employed in the Quays in jobs such as retail, construction, and e-commerce.[92] In 2007, it was confirmed that the BBC would be moving five of its departments to a new development on Pier 9 of Salford Quays, to be called MediaCityUK.[93] The move, which is expected to be completed by 2011, will create up to 15,500 jobs and add £1bn to the regional economy over 5 years.[94]

Finance and professional services, tourism and culture, and computer and internet based services have been identified as growth industries in Greater Manchester and are concentrated in Manchester and Salford.[96] Average house prices in the City of Salford are sixth out of all the metropolitan boroughs in Greater Manchester, 7.6% lower than the average for the county.[97] There are, however, areas of considerable affluence, within the city, such as Broughton Park, parts of Kersal, Ellesmere Park, Worsley, parts of Swinton and Pendlebury and the ultra-modern Salford Quays.

At the 2001 UK census, Salford had 155,376 residents aged 16 to 74. 3.0% of these people were students with jobs, 5.9% looking after home or family, 9.5% permanently sick or disabled and 3.9% economically inactive for other reasons. The City of Salford has a high rate of people who are permanently sick and disabled, nearly double the national average of 5.3%.[95]

In 2001, of 89,920 residents of the City of Salford in employment, the industry of employment was 18.7% retail and wholesale, 14.4% manufacturing, 12.7% property and business services, 11.9% health and social work, 7.7% transport and communications, 7.6% education, 6.8% construction, 5.1% hotels and restaurants, 4.7% public administration and defence, 4.4% finance, 0.7% energy and water supply, 0.4% agriculture, and 4.9% other. This was roughly in line with national figures, except for the proportion of jobs in agriculture which is less than half the national average, reflecting the city's suburban nature and its proximity to the centre of Manchester.[98]

JCDecaux UK has its Manchester office in the Metroplex Business Park in Salford.[99]

As of September 2003, the City of Salford has 6 Grade I, 14 Grade II*, and 253 Grade II listed buildings.[100] The city has the equal second highest number of Grade I listed buildings out of the districts of Greater Manchester, behind Manchester. The Grade I listed buildings are the Church of St Augustine, the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, St Mark's Church, Ordsall Hall, Wardley Hall, and a bridge over the River Irwell.[100] Salford Cathedral, built in 1845, is the seat of the Diocese of Salford and a Grade II* listed building.[101] Most of the Salford's tallest buildings are mid-20th century residential tower blocks or 21st century high rise apartments. A study by Professor Christopher Collier of the University of Salford suggested that Manchester's drizzly climate is largely due to the multitude of high-rise blocks in Salford.[102][103] Collier has proposed that they have a "dramatic influence on the region's weather patterns", and may contribute to the 8 °C (14 °F) temperature difference between Salford and its surrounding countryside.[102]

Broughton Rangers were founded in 1877 and won the Rugby League Challenge Cup in the 1901–02 and 1910–11 seasons.[108] The club folded in 1955, but were reformed as a local amateur club in 2007 with the support of Salford Red Devils.[115][116]

Established in 1967, the University of Salford is one of four universities in Greater Manchester and has approximately 19,000 students.

Overall, Salford was ranked 75th out of the all the Local Education Authorities (LEAs) – and seventh in Greater Manchester – in National Curriculum assessment performance in 2007.[123] Unauthorised absences and authorised absences from Salford secondary schools in 2006–07 were 2.0% and 7.0% respectively, both higher than the national average (1.4% and 6.4%).[124] In 2007, the Salford LEA was ranked 127th out of 149 in the country – and ninth in Greater Manchester – based on the percentage of pupils attaining at least 5 A*–C grades at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) including maths and English (37.8% compared with the national average of 46.7%).[125] In 2007, Beis Yaakov High School was the most successful school in Salford at GCSE, with 90% of the pupils gaining five or more GCSEs at A*–C grade including maths and English. Bridgewater School was the most successful at A–level.[126]

The University of Salford is one of four universities in Greater Manchester and was ranked 81st by The Times. It has over 19,000 students[127] and a 69.7% level of student satisfaction. In 2007, the university received nearly 17,000 applications for 3,660 places.[128] The university is undergoing £150M of redevelopment through investment in new facilities, including a £10M law school and a £22M building for health and social care which were opened in 2006.[128] In 2007, the drop out rate from the university was 25%. Of the students graduating, 50% gained first class or 2:1 degrees,[128] which is below the national average of about 55%.[129]

There are bus stations at Pendleton and Eccles. Buses run to destinations throughout the city, across Greater Manchester and further afield: Pendleton is served by a route to Preston,[134] Eccles Interchange is next to the Metrolink stop.

The council is responsible for the administration and maintenance of public roads and footpaths in the city.[135]